Air pollution doesn’t just threaten human health through respiratory diseases and cardiovascular problems. New research from Yonsei University shows it also creates a hidden danger in workplaces, dramatically increasing both the likelihood and severity of industrial accidents.
Scientists analyzing two decades of workplace accidents in China have discovered that doubling fine particulate matter concentrations leads to more than twice the risk of safety incidents, along with significantly higher death tolls. The findings add a troubling dimension to the already substantial economic and social burden imposed by polluted air.
The research, led by Dr. Ning Zhang of Yonsei University in South Korea alongside Dr. Zaikun Hou of Shandong University and Dr. Huan Chen of the University of Cambridge, was published in Energy Economics on September 18, 2025. Their paper, titled “Devil particles: Air pollution and safety liability accidents,” examines 5,873 workplace safety incidents recorded between 2000 and 2020.
Dr. Zhang’s team matched each accident with corresponding local air pollution levels and weather conditions to establish clear connections between environmental factors and workplace safety. Rather than relying on simple correlations, the researchers employed thermal inversions as what statisticians call an instrumental variable. These meteorological events trap pollutants near ground level, creating natural experiments that helped the team prove causation rather than mere association.
The results paint a stark picture. When PM2.5 concentrations double, accident probability increases 2.6 times. Fatalities rise by 37 percent, while total casualties jump 51 percent. Coal mining and construction sectors showed the strongest effects, though the pattern held across multiple industries.
These pollution-related accidents cost society between 4.9 billion and 10.1 billion US dollars, according to the study’s economic analysis. That figure represents only the direct costs and likely underestimates the full social burden when accounting for long-term impacts on families and communities.
Our study shows that air pollution can significantly increase the occurrence and severity of safety liability accidents across industries, Dr. Zhang explained. This finding extends the social cost estimation of air pollution beyond traditional health and productivity losses, revealing a new dimension of its economic burden.
The research arrives as scientists worldwide are increasingly documenting air pollution’s effects beyond respiratory illness. Dr. Zhang noted that a 2025 article in the Journal of Public Economics by Victor Lavy and colleagues independently reached similar conclusions about workplace accident risks. Together, these studies show that the safety impacts of air pollution are gaining increasing policy attention, he said.
Fine particulate matter, known scientifically as PM2.5 because particles measure 2.5 micrometers or less in diameter, comes primarily from vehicle emissions, industrial processes, construction dust, and burning fossil fuels. These microscopic particles can penetrate deep into lungs and even enter the bloodstream, causing inflammation and affecting multiple organ systems.
The study’s findings suggest the effects are acute rather than cumulative. Accident risk peaks immediately after pollution exposure rather than building up over time. This pattern indicates that workers face heightened danger on particularly polluted days, making rapid-response safety measures crucial.
Understanding why air pollution increases accidents requires looking at how these particles affect human cognition and physical performance. Previous research has shown that elevated PM2.5 levels impair attention, slow reaction times, reduce coordination, and increase fatigue. Workers operating heavy machinery, driving vehicles, or performing tasks requiring precision become more prone to errors when breathing polluted air.
The respiratory effects can also play a role. Reduced oxygen intake from inflamed airways may decrease stamina and alertness. Some studies suggest fine particulates trigger inflammatory responses that affect brain function, though scientists continue investigating the precise mechanisms.
The researchers acknowledge potential limitations in their work. Some accidents may go unreported, particularly in certain industries or regions. The study focused on short-term exposure effects rather than long-term cumulative impacts. Despite these caveats, the causal evidence drawn from twenty years of data underscores an urgent need to address air pollution as a workplace safety issue, not just a health problem.
Dr. Zhang’s team identified several practical steps companies and governments can implement during pollution spikes. Providing masks and air purifiers offers immediate protection. Improving ventilation systems helps reduce indoor pollution levels. Issuing early safety warnings alerts workers to heightened risks.
Employers might consider rescheduling high-risk work when pollution forecasts predict dangerous conditions. Temporarily adjusting shifts could move the most hazardous tasks to times when air quality improves. The researchers emphasize that greater defensive measures should be implemented during periods of severe air pollution or haze to minimize workplace risks and protect employee health.
Looking ahead five to ten years, Dr. Zhang believes these findings could inform policies linking environmental regulation with workplace safety standards. Industries might incorporate air quality indicators into their risk management systems. Insurance companies could adjust premiums based on pollution exposure levels, creating financial incentives for companies to protect workers during high-pollution periods.
For ordinary people, such changes would mean safer workplaces, cleaner air, and more resilient communities, Dr. Zhang noted. The implications extend beyond individual companies to entire supply chains and economies that depend on worker safety and productivity.
Ghana and other African nations face particular challenges regarding both air pollution and workplace safety. Rapid urbanization, growing vehicle fleets, and expanding industrial sectors have increased pollution levels in major cities. Meanwhile, workplace safety regulations often lack the resources and enforcement mechanisms seen in more developed economies.
The World Health Organization estimates that 91 percent of the global population lives in areas where air quality exceeds recommended guidelines. In many African cities, PM2.5 levels regularly exceed safe thresholds, especially during dry seasons when dust combines with vehicle and industrial emissions.
Applying Dr. Zhang’s findings to the African context suggests that workplace accidents may be significantly underestimated when pollution isn’t considered as a contributing factor. Construction sites in Accra, mines across the continent, and manufacturing facilities in industrial zones could all face elevated accident risks on high-pollution days without appropriate safety responses.
The economic implications are substantial. Africa’s growing economies depend on labor-intensive industries where workplace safety already presents challenges. Adding pollution’s hidden accident risk multiplies the human and economic costs. Lost productivity, medical expenses, compensation payments, and the immeasurable toll of injuries and deaths compound the continent’s development challenges.
International labor organizations and environmental groups have begun calling for integrated approaches that address both air quality and worker safety simultaneously. The traditional separation between environmental regulation and occupational safety no longer makes sense when research clearly demonstrates the connections.
Some companies in Asia and Europe have already implemented pollution-based safety protocols. When air quality deteriorates, these firms provide protective equipment, increase break times, rotate workers through less demanding tasks, or even pause the most dangerous operations. Such approaches could serve as models for African industries seeking to protect their workforce.
Technology offers tools for monitoring and responding to pollution risks. Relatively inexpensive air quality sensors can provide real-time data. Mobile phone apps can alert workers and supervisors when conditions become hazardous. Weather forecasts increasingly incorporate air quality predictions, allowing advance planning.
The challenge lies in implementation, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Small and medium enterprises may struggle to afford protective equipment or adjust operations based on pollution levels. Governments must balance worker protection with economic development pressures. International cooperation and support may be necessary to help developing economies adopt safety measures without compromising growth.
Dr. Zhang’s research adds to mounting evidence that environmental protection and economic prosperity aren’t competing goals but interconnected necessities. Cleaner air means healthier, more productive workers who face fewer accident risks. The costs of pollution, when properly calculated to include workplace safety impacts, far exceed the investments required to reduce emissions.
Yonsei University, founded in 1885, ranks among South Korea’s most prestigious research institutions. Located in Seoul, the university serves approximately 30,000 students and maintains strong international collaborations. Dr. Zhang, an Associate Professor at the School of Economics, previously worked at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Land Economy. His research focuses on environmental economics and climate change, with publications appearing in leading journals including the Journal of Development Economics, Science, Nature, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study’s implications extend far beyond academic journals. Policymakers, business leaders, labor unions, and workers themselves must grapple with the reality that the air we breathe affects not only long-term health but immediate safety. As urbanization and industrialization continue worldwide, particularly in developing regions, addressing this hidden dimension of air pollution’s costs becomes increasingly urgent.
Whether Ghana and other African nations will incorporate these findings into workplace safety policies remains to be seen. The research provides clear evidence and practical recommendations. The question is whether governments and industries will act on this knowledge before more preventable accidents occur on polluted days across the continent.
Source: newsghana.com.gh
